It's odd that i can play a form of every one of those games already on the PS2. Aside from having a sexy screen, there really isn't all that much that excites me about the PSP. Plus the battery life for the unit doesn't seem so hot. That pretty much kills the idea of watching movies on long plane rides or whatever without the battery crapping out after 3 hours. Or maybe even <A HREF="http://www.firingsquad.com/news/newsart ... rchid=7467" target="_blank">less than that</A>

But speaking of Xbox 2, Bill Gates had this to say:

"What are some of the primary goals with Xbox 2?

Broadening the market, having media capabilities that when there's a PC, we connect up to that. This whole story of the Windows Media Connect and how all the formats and rights management and that simple Media Center menu that's just got TV, photos, music right there--those are common elements we're bringing to all the home devices.

We didn't do Xbox just to do a video game; we did it to be part of our vision of the digital lifestyle, and with the next generation, we really get to go there. In the first generation, we had one simple goal, which was to establish credibility as a great video game platform. We've done that. Actually, the last few months in the United States, we outsold Sony with the PlayStation. So even though they have the biggest installed base, we are a very strong, credible No. 2 in that. As we go into this next generation, it's much broader.

Yes, great video gaming but videogaming for a broader set of people, more communications, more media, more connectivity. And at the same time, we move up to things like high-definition graphics and wireless that the chip breakthroughs allow us to get to.

So just for the games alone you'd go, wow, but the concept now of bringing in your music, your media, connecting to the PC, connecting Xbox Live to Messenger--that just makes it a very big deal."

Nintendo is the shit, and always has been. Ill give credit where credit is due though, I love the PS2 and cant wait for the PS3.
I cant wait until E3 time rolls around, I gotta see the next gen systems. If any one can get tickets Ill gladly trade SEMA tickets for them. (If any of you like cars and shit)

What Bill Gates failed to mention in his 'digital lifestyle' section is that the success of the Xbox 2 may very well be the scale-tipper on screwing over Sony's Blu-Ray format for high-def DVD. After all, Microsoft is supporting Toshiba's HD-DVD spec (as are several movie studios), while Disney and Sony are about the only ones supporting the Blu-Ray format. Again, the success of the Xbox 2 here in America could be what makes or breaks Sony's entire format, in a sort of replay of twenty-five years ago when the VHS/Betamax war was going strong. ... Sony got the short end of the stick on that one, too.

deadmeat wrote:I cant wait until E3 time rolls around, I gotta see the next gen systems.

You'll probably be able to see Xbox 2 earlier than that at the GDC conference in March. But you're right - I'd give anything to go to E3 and not be one of those sorry journalists who spend most of the time typing updates into their laptops instead of actually getting to enjoy the atmosphere.

Umgawa wrote:What Bill Gates failed to mention in his 'digital lifestyle' section is that the success of the Xbox 2 may very well be the scale-tipper on screwing over Sony's Blu-Ray format for high-def DVD. After all, Microsoft is supporting Toshiba's HD-DVD spec (as are several movie studios), while Disney and Sony are about the only ones supporting the Blu-Ray format. Again, the success of the Xbox 2 here in America could be what makes or breaks Sony's entire format, in a sort of replay of twenty-five years ago when the VHS/Betamax war was going strong. ... Sony got the short end of the stick on that one, too.

While it's way too early to tell, I have a feeling Sony is going to come out on top with the Blu-Ray/HD-DVD thing. While a lot of studios are on board with HD-DVD, Sony, Disney, and MGM make up a good percentage of the DVD market, and there are still other studios that are quite divided on which format to go with, opting to stay neutral for now.

Either way, it looks like Justin is going to have to update his DVD collection again in a few years to include all those "Ultra Edition" DVDs that will undoubtedly take advantage of the next generation's high storage capacity.

I think the PSP looks amazing. The only reason I was hesitant was the price, and since that will be &#036;200 or under sign me up. I'd buy it for Metal Gear Acid alone. But having Dynasty Warriors and a Darkstalkers game on the go rocks my socks.

As for Blu-ray/HD. Unless Xbox 2 uses HD, and beats out the PS3 (which is highly unlikely unless it uses some new extreme technology. This is evidenced everytime a console takes the top spot from a competitor. Better technology) Blu-ray will win. The PS2 was what helped propel DVD into many homes. Especially in Japan. With Sony having an installed userbase of over 10 times as many as its nearest competitor in the gaming industry, it's hard not to see them ending up on top again.

I just got back from the CES myself. As industry relations, I actually got paid to go to Las Vegas from Thursday - Sunday Night. They paid for my hotel, meals, and any other expenses. It was very nice. I went to the CES Thursday and Friday, then I spent Saturday at the Porn Convention. It was a really nice mini-vacation. Saturday night I actually stumbled upon the Vivid girls' awards ceremony, so I checked out the "red carpet" entrance for a little bit. I missed Bill Gates, since he was there on Wednesday, but I did get to meet Jackie Chan and Tom Arnold. Pretty fun times.